Over the years the river was neglected, sewage was diverted into it and a garbage dump at the southern entrance to the river caused a bad smell for all the passersby and the river’s beauty deteriorated.
In 2007 the KKL and the River Drainage of the Western Galilee Authority decided to return the perennial river to its former glory; they joined the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Nature and Parks Authority and the Asher District Regional Council and started the wonderful project of renovating the river and turning it into a hiking and recreational site.
The river bed was deepened and some 15,000 tons of sediment were removed from it. The garbage dump, which was one of the stumbling blocks of the river area and was located at the southern entrance, was evacuated. The eucalyptus groves were treated and cultivated, picnic tables and shading were put into place, pathways comfortable for hiking were paved on both banks of the river, picnic tables and playgrounds for children were introduced, bridges were constructed which enabled crossing from one bank to the other, explanatory signposts were placed and the Na’aman River became a charming site where it is possible to hike or cycle along its banks.
The entrance to the river
The southern entrance – from the parking lot adjacent to the market in the Tzur Shalom neighbourhood in Kiryat Bialik.
From Road 4 turn to the junction of the BIG Shopping Mall complex (Shderot Chen), drive some 600 meters until you reach the market, park the car in the car park and from there go down to the river via the green gate blocking the entrance to vehicles and that points to the Na’aman River path.
The northern entrance – from Road 4 turn east towards Kibbutz Kfar Masaryk. Continue until you reach a roundabout, continue under the bridge of Road 22 and from there continue via a very easy dirt track for half a kilometre, until you reach the green gate blocking the entrance to vehicles and pointing to the Na’aman River path.
The length of the route: 2 km
Accessibility: partial
It is absolutely forbidden to light barbecues and to sleep in the area of the river.
It is forbidden to enter the river.
Suitable for hiking and bike riding along the river banks.
Camp sites in the area: Kiryat Ata Forest Camp Site, Ahihud Forest Camp Site, Segev Forest Camp Site.
